MUZAFFARABAD: Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir, which was ravaged by the recent rain-induced floods, have refused to receive relief goods sent by a charity based in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The consignment – comprising 12 truckloads of relief items – was returned from the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the disputed Himalayan state near Chakothi.
The relief goods were sent by the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a sister organisation of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) – the charity India blames for the 2008 deadly siege at Mumbai’s landmarks.
Before flagging off the trucks, JuD’s Azad Kashmir chapter Ameer Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi said that they were peaceful people and wanted to help the flood-affected people in Srinagar, the winter capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, whether they were Muslims, Hindus or Sikhs.
He accused India of carrying out ‘selective relief and rescue operation’ during this monsoon’s flooding in Kashmir Valley. “We believe in serving the humanity irrespective of cast, colour or creed. The FIF had provided relief to more than 2,000 Hindu families during the recent drought in Tharpakar district of Sindh,” he added.
On the occasion, former two-time prime minister of AJK and President of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan said that both Pakistan and India should open the LoC to ensure swift transportation of relief goods to the flood-hit people of Kashmir Valley where streets are littered with muck, slush and stagnant water.
“We appeal to the international community to convert the LoC into a LoR [Line of Relief] as the people in Srinagar need help to rebuild their houses and businesses,” Khan added. He called upon Islamabad and New Delhi to set aside their political differences and share the pain and agony of the Kashmiris who have lost everything to the floods.
Vice Chairman of the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights Mushtaqul Islam said that it was high time international human rights bodies came forward and helped the flood-affected people of Srinagar. “It’s unfortunate that the Indian government is not allowing foreigners to help the flood victims of Srinagar,” he added.
Meanwhile, an AFP report said that Pakistani authorities stopped the activists in the town of Chakothi near the LoC.
“We stopped them because we did not have any instruction by the ministry of foreign affairs or the government,” senior administration official in Chakothi Tehzeebun Nisa told AFP. “Around 300 people wanted to take relief goods to the LoC for supply to the Indian part. It’s a matter between two countries, so we stopped them,” she said.
India refuses aid from Pakistani charity – The Express Tribune
